Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of singleton pregnancies conceived via assisted reproductive technology complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study

Association between sleep quality and duration during pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with several adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Previous studies reported a link between altered sleep and risk of GDM. This systematic review aims to collate evidence on the association between impaired sleep quality and duration, and the risk of GDM.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched up to January 20, 2024. Studies reporting the association between impaired sleep quality and duration and risk of GDM were included. Sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Random-effects meta-analysis was performed, and the results were reported as hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

19 studies were included. Meta-analysis revealed a significant increase in the risk of GDM in pregnant women with poor sleep quality (i.e. <5 PSQI) (HR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.26 - 1.78, p < .001). Sleep duration of <7 h (HR: 1.56, 95% CI.: 1.20 - 2.01, p < .001), and >8 h (HR: 2.32, 95% CI.: 1.19 - 4.50, p = .01) were also associated with a significantly higher incidence of GDM.

CONCLUSION

Sleep quality and duration emerge as critical risk factors of GDM. Healthcare practitioners should consider targeted interventions to improve sleep hygiene as a potential measure for GDM prevention.

Perinatal complications and neonatal outcomes in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a propensity score matching cohort study

Background

The utilization of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) has witnessed a significant increase in recent years. However, the comparative perinatal and neonatal outcomes compared to natural pregnancies are unclear. This study aims to compare the outcomes of pregnancies from IVF and ICSI with natural pregnancies.

Methods

This retrospective, propensity score-matched cohort study was conducted at the First People's Hospital of Shangqiu and The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, involving 5,628 patients from February 2019 to December 2022. It compared pregnancies achieved through IVF/ICSI with those conceived naturally. The primary outcomes assessed were perinatal complications and neonatal health parameters. Propensity score matching and multivariate logistic regression analysis were employed to adjust for potential confounders and identify independent associations.

Results

After propensity score matching, the IVF/ICSI group demonstrated significantly higher rates of placental adherence (12.1% vs. 7.4%, p < 0.001) and postpartum hemorrhage (11.1% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.002) compared to the NP group. Neonates in the IVF/ICSI group had a lower gestational age (38.21 ± 2.12 weeks vs. 38.63 ± 2.29 weeks, p < 0.001), reduced birth weight (3159.42 ± 722.75 g vs. 3211.31 ± 624.42 g, p = 0.032), and an increased preterm delivery rate (11.2% vs. 8.9%, p = 0.017). Multivariate analysis further confirmed these findings, highlighting the independent associations between IVF/ICSI and these adverse outcomes.

Conclusion

This study suggests a potential correlation between the use of IVF/ICSI and unfavorable perinatal and neonatal outcomes. These findings underscore the critical need for ongoing monitoring and research efforts to enhance the safety and effectiveness of these reproductive technologies.

Gestational diabetes mellitus in patients undergoing assisted reproductive techniques or conceiving spontaneously: an analysis on maternal and foetal outcomes

PURPOSE

With the rise of medically assisted reproductive techniques (ART) the number of pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the outcomes of pregnancies complicated by GDM who conceive trough ART (cases) compared to those who conceived spontaneously (controls).

METHODS

In 670 women with GDM, 229 cases and 441 controls, followed by the Diabetology of Padua, between 2010-2022, clinical-metabolic maternal characteristics and maternal-foetal outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

As for the maternal clinical-metabolic characteristics, plasma glucose levels at 60' and 120' under oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at time of diagnosis were significantly higher in cases (177.4 ± 31.1 vs 170.9 ± 34.1 mg/dl, p = 0.016; 151.5 ± 32.2 vs 144.0 ± 33.4 mg/dl, p = 0.005 respectively). Furthermore, at diagnosis, cases show higher levels of total cholesterol (257 ± 53 mg/dl vs 246 ± 52 mg/dl; p = 0.012) and triglycerides (199.8 ± 83.2 mg/dl vs 184.9 ± 71.3 mg/dl; p = 0.02) compared to controls. As for maternal outcomes, thyroid disfunction, was recorded in a higher percentage in case (21.4% vs 14.3%; p = 0.008), as well as, the frequency of cesarean section (50.3% vs 41.2%; p = 0.038) and twin pregnancies (16.2% vs 2.5%; p < 0.001). As for neonatal outcomes, there were no statistically significant differences, except for the birth weight of the second twin, which was significantly lower in cases (2268 ± 536 vs 2822 ± 297 g; p = 0.002). No other significant differences were found.

CONCLUSION

This study showed no meaningful differences in the outcomes of GDM pregnancies who were conceived with ART compared to that arose spontaneously as the patients were promptly diagnosed and treated.

Gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnancies conceived after infertility treatment: a population-based study in the United States, 2015-2020

Objective

To evaluate the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in singleton pregnancies conceived using infertility treatment and examine the influence of race and ethnicity as well as prepregnancy body mass index (BMI).

Design

Cross-sectional study using the US vital records data of women that delivered singleton births.

Setting

United States, 2015-2020.

Interventions

Any infertility treatment was divided into two groups: those that used fertility-enhancing drugs, artificial insemination, or intrauterine insemination, and those that used assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Main Outcome Measuress

Gestational diabetes mellitus, defined as a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus during pregnancy, includes both diet-controlled GDM and medication-controlled GDM in singleton pregnancies conceived with infertility treatment or spontaneously and delivered between 20- and 44-weeks' gestation. We also examined whether the infertility treatment-GDM association was modified by maternal race and ethnicity as well as prepregnancy BMI. Associations were expressed as a rate ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), derived from log-linear models after adjustment for potential confounders.

Results

A total of 21,943,384 singleton births were included, with 1.5% (n = 318,086) undergoing infertility treatment. Rates of GDM among women undergoing infertility treatment and those who conceived spontaneously were 11.0% (n = 34,946) and 6.5% (n = 1,398,613), respectively (adjusted RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.23, 1.26). The RRs were adjusted for maternal age, parity, education, race and ethnicity, smoking, BMI, chronic hypertension, and year of delivery. The risk of GDM was modestly increased for those using fertility-enhancing drugs (adjusted RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.27, 1.30) compared with ART (adjusted RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.17, 1.20), and this risk was especially apparent for non-Hispanic White women (adjusted RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.26, 1.31) and Hispanic women (adjusted RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.29, 1.41). The number of women who needed to be exposed to infertility treatment to diagnose one case of GDM was 46. Prepregnancy BMI did not modify the infertility treatment-GDM association overall and within strata of race and ethnicity. These general patterns were stronger after potential corrections for misclassification of infertility treatment and unmeasured confounding.

Conclusions

Infertility treatment, among those who received fertility-enhancing drugs, is associated with an increased GDM risk. The persistently higher risk of GDM among women who seek infertility treatment, irrespective of prepregnancy weight classification, deserves attention. Infertility specialists must be vigilant with preconception counseling and ensure that all patients, regardless of race and ethnicity or BMI, are adequately tested for GDM early in pregnancy using a fasting blood glucose level or a traditional 50-g oral glucose tolerance test. Testing may be completed by the infertility specialist or deferred to the primary prenatal care provider at the first prenatal visit.

The effect of female body mass index on cumulative live birth rate in women undergoing in vitro fertilization according to age

The aim of this study was to explore the impact of female body mass index (BMI) on cumulative live birth rates (CLBR) in patients treated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer. A total of 2377 patients who visited the Reproductive Medical Center, Luoyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2015 to December 2021. The patients underwent the first IVF cycles. According to female BMI, patients were divided into 3 groups, group A: BMI ≤ 18.5 kg/m2 (underweight), group B: BMI: 18.5 to 24.0 kg/m2 (normal), group C: BMI ≥ 24.0 kg/m2 (overweight/obesity). Patient basic parameters and clinical outcomes were compared among these 3 groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the impact of BMI on CLBR. In all treatment cycles, patients' basic parameters were significantly different among 3 BMI groups. Age of underweight patient was younger than patients in the other 2 groups (28.45 ± 5.32 vs 29.89 ± 5.00 vs 30.74 ± 5.40; P = .000). In addition, number of oocytes retrieved was also significantly higher in group A (11.25 ± 5.97 vs 11.07 ± 5.49 vs 10.52 ± 5.02; P = .000). CLBR in these 3 groups were 66.40%, 65.98%, and 59.14%, respectively. In logistic analysis, overweight/obesity was associated with CLBR in young patients (aOR = 0.822, 95% CI: 0.817-0.957, P = .000). However, in the cycles of older patients, the effect of overweight/obesity on the CLBR was not significant (aOR = 0.986, 95% CI: 0.903-1.027, P > .05). Overweight/obesity is a predictor for CLBR in younger patients (<35 years old), but not in advanced age patients undergoing their first IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment cycles.

Refining the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Perinatal outcomes vary for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The precise factors beyond glycemic status that may refine GDM diagnosis remain unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of potential precision markers for GDM.

METHODS

Systematic literature searches were performed in PubMed and EMBASE from inception to March 2022 for studies comparing perinatal outcomes among women with GDM. We searched for precision markers in the following categories: maternal anthropometrics, clinical/sociocultural factors, non-glycemic biochemical markers, genetics/genomics or other -omics, and fetal biometry. We conducted post-hoc meta-analyses of a subset of studies with data on the association of maternal body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) with offspring macrosomia or large-for-gestational age (LGA).

RESULTS

A total of 5905 titles/abstracts were screened, 775 full-texts reviewed, and 137 studies synthesized. Maternal anthropometrics were the most frequent risk marker. Meta-analysis demonstrated that women with GDM and overweight/obesity vs. GDM with normal range BMI are at higher risk of offspring macrosomia (13 studies [n = 28,763]; odds ratio [OR] 2.65; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.91, 3.68), and LGA (10 studies [n = 20,070]; OR 2.23; 95% CI 2.00, 2.49). Lipids and insulin resistance/secretion indices were the most studied non-glycemic biochemical markers, with increased triglycerides and insulin resistance generally associated with greater risk of offspring macrosomia or LGA. Studies evaluating other markers had inconsistent findings as to whether they could be used as precision markers.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal overweight/obesity is associated with greater risk of offspring macrosomia or LGA in women with GDM. Pregnancy insulin resistance or hypertriglyceridemia may be useful in GDM risk stratification. Future studies examining non-glycemic biochemical, genetic, other -omic, or sociocultural precision markers among women with GDM are warranted.

Effect of increased gonadotropin dosing on maternal and neonatal outcomes in predicted poor responders undergoing IVF: follow-up of a randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate, in women scheduled for IVF with predicted poor ovarian response, the effect of increased dosing of gonadotropin on maternal and neonatal outcomes compared with standard dosing.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a follow-up study of an open-labelled randomized controlled trial comparing increased (225 or 300 IU/d) versus standard (150 IU/d) dose gonadotrophins on cumulative live birth rates. We randomized 661 women with a predicted poor ovarian response (based on their antral follicle count) scheduled for their first IVF/ICSI cycle. Here, we report on maternal and neonatal outcomes between increased and standard dosing groups.

RESULTS

There was a trend of increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in the increased gonadotrophin dose group compared with the standard group in both cumulative live birth pregnancies (14.8% vs. 7.8%, relative risk (RR) 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-3.74, P = 0.06) and live birth pregnancies in the first transfer (15.2% vs. 7.7%, RR 1.98, 95 %CI 0.93-4.19, P = 0.08), without reaching statistical significance. The occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in the increased gonadotrophin dose group (24/149, 16.1% vs. 8/128, 6.3%; risk ratio (RR) 2.58, 95 %CI 1.19 to 5.54, P = 0.02) in singleton pregnancies. In women with first embryo transfer cycle, maternal hypothyroidism occurred also more frequent in the increased gonadotrophin dose group than the standard group (16.0% vs. 6.8%, RR 2.34, 95 %CI:1.07-5.11, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

In women with predicted poor ovarian response, increased dosing of gonadotropin may result in an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus and maternal hypothyroidism.

Association between Abortion History and Perinatal and Neonatal Outcomes of Singleton Pregnancies after Assisted Reproductive Technology

IMPORTANCE

At present, few people have studied the associations between abortion history before pregnancy on the outcomes of women and their infants after assisted reproductive technology (ART).

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between the history of abortion and the outcomes of singleton pregnancies after ART.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective study in a hospital from 2015 to 2020 in Shanghai, China. Pregnant women with live singleton births through ART were included (n = 3043). Abortion was classified into spontaneous abortion (SAB) and induced abortion. We compared the maternal and fetal outcomes of singleton pregnancies obtained through ART with different abortion histories. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between the history of pre-pregnancy abortion with perinatal complications and neonatal outcomes.

RESULTS

We observed that compared with those who had no abortion history and obtained singleton pregnancies through ART, women who had an abortion history before pregnancy (including SAB or induced abortion history) and only SAB history were more likely to have gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), thyroid-related diseases, and placenta-related diseases. After adjusting the potential confounding factors, these differences still existed. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of GDM, thyroid-related diseases, and placenta-related diseases in women with a history of abortion and only a history of SAB were 1.239 (1.030-1.492) and 1.240 (1.010-1.522), 1.589 (1.261-2.002) and 1.724 (1.344-2.213), 1.465 (1.183-1.815) and 1.433 (1.132-1.814), respectively. However, we did not observe the association between the history of induced abortion and GDM and thyroid-related diseases.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Our research showed that pregnant women with singleton pregnancies through ART who had a history of abortion or only a history of SAB were more likely to have GDM, thyroid-related diseases, and placenta-related diseases. Pregnant women who had both SAB and induced abortion before pregnancy had a higher risk of thyroid-related diseases and placenta-related diseases, while women who had only a history of induced abortion had a higher risk of placenta-related diseases. Further research is needed to explore the biological mechanism of different types of abortion related to subsequent pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes prevalence and outcomes in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART)

Infertility affects millions worldwide and use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) is in high demand.

AIMS

To investigate whether women that underwent ART at our hospital had a higher incidence of GDM than women who conceived spontaneously, if the ART subtype affects the GDM rate and to study obstetrical outcomes in women with GDM in both groups.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of singleton pregnancies attended at Hospital Universitari Dexeus between 2008 and 2019. Age<18 years, pregestational diabetes, metformin prior to pregnancy and multiple pregnancies were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 29,529 patients were included. Pregnancy was achieved by ART in 2596 (8.8%): in vitro fertilisation (IVF/ICSI) 32.8%, frozen embryo transfer (FET) 37.7%, oocyte donor receptors (ODR) 17.2% and insemination 12.2%. The GDM rate was 8.9% (12.7% in ART vs 8.5% in non-ART, p<0.001). The GDM was 11.2% in IVF/ICSI, 17.7% in ODR, 13% in FET and 9.1% in the insemination group (p=0.001). In a multivariable analysis adjusting for age, parity and BMI, ART was not associated with GDM [OR 1.03 (0.90-1.19)], nor was type of ART. Pregnancy outcomes in GDM patients were similar in both groups except for C-section rates (30.0% in ART vs 15.9% in non-ART (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a higher prevalence of GDM in ART pregnancies, ART was not associated with an increased risk of GDM when adjusting for age, parity and BMI. The prognosis of GDM in ART and non-ART was similar except for C-section rates.

Effects of gestational diabetes mellitus and assisted reproductive technology treatment on the risk of preterm singleton birth

Background

Although assisted reproductive technology (ART) plays a critical role in reducing infertility, ART pregnant women are reported at higher risk of preterm birth (PTB). Besides, women undergoing ART encounter a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, existing studies on the combined effect of ART treatment and GDM on PTB risk are sparse.

Methods

This population-based retrospective cohort study used nationwide birth certificate data from the US National Vital Statistics System 2015-2019. All mothers who had a singleton live birth without pre-pregnancy diabetes were included. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of PTB.

Results

We finally included 18,140,241 American mother-infant pairs. The overall rate of PTB was 7.92% (n = 1,436,328). The PTB rate for non-ART mothers without GDM, ART mothers without GDM, non-ART mothers with GDM, and ART mothers with GDM were 7.67, 10.90, 11.23, and 14.81%, respectively. The incidence of GDM in ART mothers (10.48%) was significantly higher than in non-ART mothers (6.26%). After adjusting for potential confounders, compared with non-ART mothers without GDM, the PTB risk was significantly increased for ART mothers without GDM (AOR: 1.47, 95% CI 1.44-1.50), non-ART mothers with GDM (AOR:1.35, 95% CI 1.34-1.36) and ART mothers with GDM (AOR: 1.82, 95% CI 1.74-1.90) respectively, showing an increasing tendency. This phenomenon was stable among mothers in all groups of mothers older than 25 years.

Conclusion

To prevent PTB, effective approaches for the prevention of GDM are crucial to mothers who conceived through ART.

Analysis of the risk of complications during pregnancy in pregnant women with assisted reproductive technology: a retrospective study using registry linkage from 2013 to 2018 in Shanghai, China

Background

To evaluate the differences in pregnancy outcomes between assisted reproductive technology (ART) patients and natural pregnant women in Shanghai, China in the past 6 years objectively. And to assess the feasibility of the research method of registry-database linkage in mainland China.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted using registry-database linkage. A total of 8102 pregnancies with ART and 8096 parturients with spontaneous conception (SC) from 10 reproductive centers and 111 hospitals composed our retrospective study. The primary outcomes were the rates of obstetric complications (pregnancy-induced hypertention [PIH], gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM], placenta previa, mode of delivery, preterm birth [PTB], low birth weight [LBW], and macrosomia). The prenatal outcomes were compared between ART and SC parturients, frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) and fresh embryo transfer, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The final matching rate of the target population was 92% by using registry linkage. ART resulted in a higher rate of multiple birth, PTB, LBW, cesarean section, placenta previa and GDM compared with SC in the singleton cohort. In ART patients, pregnant women with FET had a significantly higher risk of PIH than those with fresh embryo transfer (14.1% Vs 9.3%, AOR1.528, 95% CI 1.303–1.793), but there was no difference between IVF and ICSI. FET is also related to the severity of PIH.

Conclusions

ART increased the rate of complications during pregnancy, the risk and severity of PIH in patients with FET was higher than that in patients with fresh embryo transfer. The registry-database linkage study is an objective and feasible research method in mainland China.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-04846-1.

Dose-response association between maternal pre-pregnancy bodyweight and gestational diabetes mellitus following ART treatment: a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

The impact of maternal pre-pregnancy bodyweight on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) following assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment has been insufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between maternal pre-pregnancy bodyweight and GDM following ART.

METHODS

From January 2014 to March 2019, this population-based retrospective cohort study included pregnancies achieved by ART treatment in a pregnancy registration database in China. Multivariate regression analysis and restricted cubic splines were used to explore the association between bodyweight and GDM.

RESULTS

A total of 6,598 pregnancies were included. The incidence of GDM was 26.0% (1715/6598). A total of 868 (13.2%) pregnant women were underweight, 665 (10.8%) were overweight, and 145 (2.20%) were obesity. We found a linear dose-response relation between maternal body mass index and GDM by restricted cubic splines, where one unit body mass index increase was associated with the 15% elevated risk of GDM (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% CI 1.08-1.22). Compared to the normal weight group, maternal underweight was associated with lower risk of GDM (adjusted OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.57-0.82), while increased risk was found for overweight (adjusted OR 1.54 95% CI 1.29-1.84) and obesity (adjusted OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.23-2.47).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study found a linear dose-effect relationship between pre-pregnancy bodyweight and GDM following ART treatment. The findings in this study support the clinical recommendation of advising women with overweight or obesity to lose weight prior to ART treatment.

Glycemic profile assessment during betamethasone administration in women with twin pregnancies after IVF with or without gestational diabetes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Betamethasone's effect on glycemia in twin pregnancies, with or without gestational diabetes mellitus, has not been adequately investigated.

METHODS

We assessed the glycemic profile of 30 women with twin pregnancies after in-vitro-fertilization who were given betamethasone.

RESULTS

The majority of women were treated eventually with insulin to maintain glycemia. In insulin-treated women the increase in insulin dosage was of 61.1%. Insulin use/dosage was not associated with betamethasone dose, age, gestational age, weight gain in pregnancy, or duration of hyperglycemia.

CONCLUSION

Post-betamethasone, twin pregnancies seem to follow the same glycemia pattern as singleton pregnancies.

Assisted reproduction technology outcomes in women with infertility and preexisting diabetes mellitus: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To assess maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with or without preexisting diabetes mellitus (DM) undergoing assisted reproduction technology (ART) treatment.

METHODS

Prospective or retrospective controlled trials reporting on women with or without preexisting DM undergoing ART treatment were considered eligible. Twelve electronic databases were systematically searched up to December 2020. The risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane Risk OF Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. Each primary outcome was extracted and pooled as maternal- or neonatal-related.

RESULTS

Two studies were included in the systematic review, reporting on both maternal- and neonatal-related parameters after ART treatment. Due to the limited data, no meta-analysis was conducted. Preterm birth, placenta previa, and excessive bleeding during pregnancy were observed more often in pregnancies complicated by preexisting DM conceived by ART compared with pregnancies without DM. There was no difference in the risk for placental abruption between the groups. Regarding the neonatal outcomes, large-for-gestational-age (LGA) embryos and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission were more commonly reported for women with preexisting DM. In one study, preexisting DM was marginally associated with infant mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the scarce data, preexisting DM in pregnancies conceived by ART is associated with increased risk for maternal and neonatal complications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered in PROSPERO (registration number: 143187).

Early Postpartum Glucose Intolerance, Metabolic Syndrome and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Determinants after Assisted Conception: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of postpartum metabolic syndrome (MetS), glucose intolerance,<br />and the determinants, 6-12 weeks postpartum in women with assisted reproduction technology conception<br />gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosis (ART-GDM) compared to women with spontaneous conception and GDM<br />diagnosis (SC-GDM).<br />Materials and Methods: In this prospective cohort study, two groups consisting of 62 ART-GDM and 64 SC-GDM<br />singleton pregnant women were followed 6-12 weeks after delivery for postpartum MetS. Fasting glucose, 75-g 2-h<br />OGTT, and lipid profile were assessed. Waist and hip circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP)<br />were measured at postpartum. Clinical, paraclinical, and obstetric data were recorded from registry offices. The prevalence<br />of MetS and glucose intolerance were determined. Predictors of MetS and glucose intolerance were evaluated<br />by logistic regression.<br />Results: The prevalence of postpartum MetS was 20.8% in ART-GDM women and 10.9% in SC-GDM (P=0.123).<br />Mean postpartum BMI and systolic BP were significantly higher in the ART-GDM group (P=0.016 and P=0.027<br />respectively). Adverse pregnancy outcomes were significantly higher in the ART-GDM group. Postpartum glucose<br />intolerance prevalence did not vary significantly between the groups. Family history of diabetes was a predictive factor<br />for postpartum MetS and glucose intolerance 6-12 weeks after delivery.<br />Conclusion: Early postpartum MetS and glucose intolerance prevalence after assisted conception did not vary significantly;<br />however, postpartum body mass index (BMI) and systolic BP were significantly higher in the ART-GDM group.<br />Lifestyle modification programs and long-term health care of ART women with GDM diagnosis can be recommended.<br />Further studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are necessary to verify our findings.

Gestational diabetes mellitus in in-vitro fertilization pregnancies - Clinical and placental histological characteristics

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to investigate obstetric and neonatal outcomes and placental histological findings in in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as compared to unassisted pregnancies.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort of deliveries at a single university affiliated center between 12/2008 and 01/2020. Included were singleton pregnancies complicated by GDM, for which placental histopathological examination was performed. Obstetric, neonatal and placental outcomes were compared between pregnancies following IVF and unassisted pregnancies. Placental lesions were categorized according to the "Amsterdam" criteria.

RESULTS

Included were 688 deliveries with a diagnosis of GDM with placental examination - 69 IVF pregnancies (IVF group) and 619 unassisted pregnancies (control group). The IVF group was characterized by a significantly higher maternal age and higher rate of nulliparous women - 60.8% vs. 32.9%, p < 0.001. There were no differences in GDM type between the study groups - about two thirds of cases were GDMA1 and on third GDMA2. A higher incidence of preeclampsia was noted in the IVF group - 17.3% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.03, with no difference in cesarean deliveries and birthweight. IVF deliveries were characterized by a significantly higher rate of adverse neonatal outcomes - 18.8% vs. 8.8%, p = 0.008, although this did not attain significance after adjustment to gestational age. No differences were noted in placental histology between the groups.

DISCUSSION

GDM in IVF is associated with a significantly higher rate of adverse neonatal outcomes, as compared with non-assisted pregnancies complicated by GDM. Placental histology does not shed light on these clinical associations.

The Kind of Conception Affects the Kind of Cesarean Delivery in Primiparous Women

BACKGROUND

So far, multiple factors have been found to be related to the IVF procedure, the most prevalent being extremes of maternal age, infections, previous gynecological history, infertility and others. Although women achieve the coveted pregnancy with the development of IVF technology, the rapid increase contributes to the increase of primary cesarean sections rates.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to identify if the kind of conception affects the kind of cesarean delivery among primiparous women in Greece.

METHODS

This cross-sectional observational study took place from September 2019 to February 2020 at the University Hospital of Larisa in Greece. One hundred and sixty-two primiparous women who underwent a cesarean section (c-section) after IVF (n=27) and natural conception (n=135) participated in the study.

RESULTS

The mean age of the IVF and natural conception groups were 36.22 and 31.08 years, respectively. Nineteen (70.4%) women of the IVF group had a previous medical or gynecological history in contrast to 48 (35.6%) women of the natural conception group. Only 55.6% of the IVF group had a full-term pregnancy unlike 88.1% of women in the natural conception group. An elective c-section was performed in 18 (66.7%) of the women who conceived after IVF, as opposed to 45 (33.3%) of the women who conceived naturally.

CONCLUSION

This cross-sectional study showed that IVF conception was associated with high rates of elective cesarean section as opposed to women with natural conception. The causes of c-sections must be evidence based because the primary cesarean delivery is a major factor contributing to increased c-section rates.

Mode of delivery of women with Swyer syndrome in a German case series

OBJECTIVES

For women with Swyer Syndrome, a 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis, full term pregnancies are possible after oocyte donation. According to literature, mode of delivery is almost always by Caesarean section for various reasons. Medical indications are multiple pregnancies and related complications, preeclampsia, an androgynous shaped pelvis and failed induction of labor. Elective Caesarean sections were performed based on maternal request and medical recommendation.

METHODS

Following careful examination and shared decision making, we planned a spontaneous delivery with a patient with Swyer syndrome and tested the different hypotheses regarding anatomical and functional features according to literature. In addition, deliveries of women with Swyer Syndrome were analyzed in a German multicenter case series.

RESULTS

A total of seven women with Swyer syndrome with a total of 10 pregnancies were identified, who later gave birth to twelve live-born children. Seven out of 10 births were performed by elective and non-elective Caesarean section, three births took place vaginally.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the risk of Caesarean section delivery has increased, but spontaneous delivery can be attempted in the event of inconspicuous findings.

Assisted reproductive technology and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: systematic review and meta-analyses

Background

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) is one of the most common pregnancy complications and causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including HDP. However, the impact of multiple pregnancies, oocyte donation, as well as fresh and frozen embryo transfer needs to be further studied. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses to evaluate the association between ART and HDP or preeclampsia relative to spontaneous conception (SC).

Methods

We identified studies from EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library (up to April 8, 2020) and manually using structured search strategies. Cohort studies that included pregnancies after in vitro fertilization (IVF) with or without intracytoplasmic sperm fertilization (ICSI) relative to SC with HDP or preeclampsia as the outcome of interest were included. The control group was women who conceived spontaneously without ART or fertility medications. The pooled results were reported in odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals based on random effects models. Numbers needed to harm (NNH) were calculated based on absolute risk differences between exposure and control groups.

Results

Eighty-five studies were included after a screening of 1879 abstracts and 283 full text articles. Compared to SC, IVF/ICSI singleton pregnancies (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.60–1.80; I² = 80%) and multiple pregnancies (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.20–1.50; I² = 76%) were both associated with higher odds of HDP. Singleton pregnancies with oocyte donation had the highest odds of HDP out of all groups analyzed (OR 4.42; 95% CI 3.00–6.51; I² = 83%). Frozen embryo transfer resulted in higher odds of HDP (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.58–1.92; I² = 55%) than fresh embryo transfer (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.33–1.53; I² = 72%). The associations between IVF/ICSI pregnancies and SC were similar for preeclampsia. Most interventions had an NNH of 40 to 100, while singleton and multiple oocyte donation pregnancies had particularly low NNH for HDP (16 and 10, respectively).

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis confirmed that IVF/ICSI pregnancies are at higher odds of HDP and preeclampsia than SC, irrespective of the plurality. The odds were especially high in frozen embryo transfer and oocyte donation pregnancies.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-03938-8.

The diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and its impact on In Vitro Fertilization pregnancies. A pilot study

BACKGROUND

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is increasingly becoming a necessary mode of reproduction. This high risk group is prone to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) which further exposes these pregnancies to an increased risk of adverse outcomes. In light of the limited data in the current literature, further investigation is needed regarding the time of GDM diagnosis in IVF pregnancies as well as the outcome of IVF pregnancies complicated by GDM.

METHODS

In this three center pilot cross sectional study, the data of 101 singleton IVF pregnancies complicated by GDM were analyzed. Prompt GDM diagnosis in IVF pregnancies was accomplished by self-blood glucose monitoring (SMBG) from the first antenatal visit and confirmed by an OGTT. To evaluate pregnancy outcome, maternal and fetal complications in the 101 GDM IVF group was compared to 101 IVF as well as 101 spontaneous conceptions (SC). The three groups were matched by age. The effect of demographic and glycemic parameters on the outcome of GDM IVF pregnancies was investigated.

RESULTS

GDM diagnosis was made before the 24th week in 37.6% of the GDM IVF group. The week of delivery was earlier for the GDM IVF group (37 ± 1.7) relative to the IVF (37.9 ± 0.9, p < 0.001) and the SC group (38.1 ± 0.8, p < 0.001). GDM IVF pregnancies exhibited greater preeclampsia rates and 84.8% underwent caesarian section. No significant difference regarding LGA and SGA birth weights was found. Complications of GDM IVF pregnancies were associated with the 1-h postprandial BG (r = 0.267, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

GDM screening in IVF pregnancies may be considered earlier than the 24th week. IVF pregnancies affected by GDM are prone to increased maternal and fetal complications which are associated with 1-h postprandial BG.

Expression and DNA Methylation Status of the Imprinted Genes PEG10 and L3MBTL1 in the Umbilical Cord Blood and Placenta of the Offspring of Assisted Reproductive Technology

The aim of this study is to investigate the expression and DNA methylation status of the imprinted genes PEG10 and L3MBTL1 in the offspring of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The ART group consists of 30 cases of placenta and umbilical cord blood from ART full-term, uncomplicated singleton pregnancy progeny, and the normal control group consists of 30 cases of placenta and umbilical cord blood from natural full-term, uncomplicated singleton pregnancy progeny. The imprinted genes PEG10 and L3MBTL1 are analyzed, and the expression and methylation status of the two genes are detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting (WB), and methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Compared with the normal control group, the PEG10 mRNA relative quantity (RQ) value in the placenta is 0.994 ± 0.458, with its RQ value up-regulated (P = 0.015). The PEG10 mRNA RQ value in the umbilical cord blood is 0.875 ± 0.452, with its RQ value up-regulated (P = 0.002). However, the L3MBTL1 mRNA RQ value in the placenta is 0.404 ± 0.234, with its RQ value down-regulated (P = 0.024). The L3MBTL1 mRNA RQ value in the umbilical cord blood is 0.337 ± 0.213, and there is no difference in the umbilical cord blood (P = 0.081). Compared with the normal control group, the expression of PEGl0 protein in the placenta of the ART progeny is up-regulated (P = 0.000), while the expression of L3MBTLl protein is down-regulated (P = 0.000). The methylation status of the PEGl0 promoter region in the placenta in the ART group is lower than that in the normal control group (P = 0.037), and that of the promoter region of the umbilical cord blood is lower than that of the natural pregnancy group (P = 0.032). The methylation status of the L3MBTLl promoter region is higher in the placenta than in the normal control group (P = 0.038), and there is no difference between the two groups in the umbilical cord blood (P = 0.301). In the ART group, the values of PEGl0 and L3MBTLl RQ in the placenta and the umbilical cord blood of the hypermethylated group are lower than in those of the hypomethylated group. ART may increase the risk of the abnormal expression of PEG10 and L3MBTL1 in offspring imprinted genes. The methylation of the promoter region may be the mechanism that regulates the expression of PEGl0 and L3MBTL1.

Association between thyroid function and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in assisted pregnancies: A retrospective cohort study

AIMS

To explore the association between thyroid function and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk in assisted pregnancies.

METHODS

We screened 57,386 pregnant women treated from February 2013 to October 2017, and 2211 patients were retrospectively enrolled, and their data were analyzed based on quintile groups constituted based on serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) levels. Odds ratios (ORs) of GDM were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for maternal age and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

The prevalence rate of GDM was 20.1%. Lower FT4 levels were associated with an increased risk of GDM (OR_Q2 = 1.512, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.073-2.132, p = 0.018; OR_Q1 = 1.620, 95% CI 1.161-2.261, p = 0.005), but this association disappeared after adjustments. TPOAb+ titer was associated with an increased risk of GDM (aOR = 1.472, 95% CI 1.068-2.028, p = 0.018). Higher TSH (aOR_Q5 = 2.882, 95% CI 1.919-6.975, p = 0.019) or lower FT4 (aOR_Q1 = 3.156, 95% CI 1.088-9.115, p = 0.034) levels were associated with an increased risk of GDM in assisted pregnancies for TPOAb+ patients.

CONCLUSION

TPOAb+ is an independent risk factor for GDM in patients with assisted pregnancies. Higher TSH or lower FT4 levels, with TPOAb+ detection, are risk factors for GDM in assisted pregnancies.

Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the Middle East and North Africa, 2000-2019: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression

Women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are burdened with several risk factors related to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) including overweight and high parity. We systematically reviewed the literature and quantified the weighted prevalence of GDM in MENA at the regional, subregional, and national levels. Studies published from 2000 to 2019 reporting the prevalence of GDM in the MENA region were retrieved and were assessed for their eligibility. Overall and subgroup pooled prevalence of GDM was quantified by random-effects meta-analysis. Sources of heterogeneity were investigated by meta-regression. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's tool. One hundred and two research articles with 279,202 tested pregnant women for GDM from 16 MENA countries were included. Most of the research reports sourced from Iran (36.3%) and Saudi Arabia (21.6%), with an overall low RoB. In the 16 countries, the pooled prevalence of GDM was 13.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.5-14.6%, I² , 99.3%). Nationally, GDM was highest in Qatar (20.7%, 95% CI, 15.2-26.7% I² , 99.0%), whereas subregionally, GDM was highest in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (14.7%, 95% CI, 13.0-16.5%, I² , 99.0%). The prevalence of GDM was high in pregnant women aged ≥30 years (21.9%, 95% CI, 18.5-25.5%, I² , 97.1%), in their third trimester (20.0%, 95% CI, 13.1-27.9%, I² , 98.8%), and who were obese (17.2%, 95% CI, 12.8-22.0%, I² , 93.8%). The prevalence of GDM was 10.6% (95% CI, 8.1-13.4%, I² , 98.9%) in studies conducted before 2009, whereas it was 14.0% (95% CI, 12.1-16.0%, I² , 99.3%) in studies conducted in or after 2010. Pregnant women in the MENA region are burdened with a substantial prevalence of GDM, particularly in GCC and North African countries. Findings have implications for maternal health in the MENA region and call for advocacy to unify GDM diagnostic criteria.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42018100629.

Comparison of general maternal and neonatal conditions and clinical outcomes between embryo transfer and natural conception

Background

To examine the differences between pregnant women who underwent embryo transfer (ET) and those who conceived naturally, as well as differences in their respective babies, and to determine the causes for these differences, to provide recommendations for women who are planning to undergo ET.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed of women who had received ET and those who had natural conception (NC) who received medical services during pregnancy and had their babies delivered at the Shunde Women and Children’s Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, China between January 2016 and December 2018. In line with the requirements of the ethics committee, before the formal investigation, we first explained the content of the informed consent of the patient to the patient, and all the subjects included agreed to the content of the informed consent of the patient. Respondents agreed to visit and analyze their medical records under reasonable conditions. Each case in an ET group of 321 women was randomly matched with three cases of NC (963 cases) who delivered on the same day. The demographic information, past history, pregnancy and delivery history, and maternal and neonatal outcomes of the two groups were compared using univariate analysis.

Results

Age, duration of hospitalization, number of pregnancies, number of miscarriages, induced abortion, ectopic pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, gestational anemia, pregnancy risk, mode of fetal delivery, and number of births were significantly different between the two groups (all P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the disease, allergy, infection and blood transfusion histories of the pregnant women, or differences in prevalence of gestational hypothyroidism, gestational respiratory infection, premature rupture of membrane, placental abruption, fetal death, stillbirth, amniotic fluid volume and amniotic fluid clarity between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The percentages for low birth weight and premature birth were significantly higher in the ET group than in the NC group. In contrast, infant gender and prevalence of fetal macrosomia, fetal anomaly, neonatal asphyxia, and extremely low birth weight were not significantly different between the two groups (all P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The clinical outcomes of mothers and the birth status of infants were better in the NC group than in the ET group. Maternal health must be closely monitored and improved in the ET group to reduce the incidence of gestational comorbidity and enhance the quality of fetal life.

Substantially Altered Expression Profile of Diabetes/Cardiovascular/Cerebrovascular Disease Associated microRNAs in Children Descending from Pregnancy Complicated by Gestational Diabetes Mellitus-One of Several Possible Reasons for an Increased Cardiovascular Risk

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), one of the major pregnancy-related complications, characterized as a transitory form of diabetes induced by insulin resistance accompanied by a low/absent pancreatic beta-cell compensatory adaptation to the increased insulin demand, causes the acute, long-term, and transgenerational health complications. The aim of the study was to assess if alterations in gene expression of microRNAs associated with diabetes/cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases are present in whole peripheral blood of children aged 3-11 years descending from GDM complicated pregnancies. A substantially altered microRNA expression profile was found in children descending from GDM complicated pregnancies. Almost all microRNAs with the exception of miR-92a-3p, miR-155-5p, and miR-210-3p were upregulated. The microRNA expression profile also differed between children after normal and GDM complicated pregnancies in relation to the presence of overweight/obesity, prehypertension/hypertension, and/or valve problems and heart defects. Always, screening based on the combination of microRNAs was superior over using individual microRNAs, since at 10.0% false positive rate it was able to identify a large proportion of children with an aberrant microRNA expression profile (88.14% regardless of clinical findings, 75.41% with normal clinical findings, and 96.49% with abnormal clinical findings). In addition, the higher incidence of valve problems and heart defects was found in children with a prior exposure to GDM. The extensive file of predicted targets of all microRNAs aberrantly expressed in children descending from GDM complicated pregnancies indicates that a large group of these genes is involved in ontologies of diabetes/cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases. In general, children with a prior exposure to GDM are at higher risk of later development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases, and would benefit from dispensarisation as well as implementation of primary prevention strategies.

Assisted reproductive technology and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is increasing worldwide, and observational studies have indicated that women who conceived by ART have an increased risk of pregnancy complications including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We aimed to determine the risk of GDM among women who conceived with ART by systematic review and meta-analysis.

Main text

A systematic literature search was conducted in ISI Web of Knowledge, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase through May 2017 for English-language articles using a list of keywords. All studies comparing GDM in women conceived by ART and those who conceived spontaneously were included. Data extraction was performed by two authors independently and discrepancies were resolved by discussion. In total, 48 studies with 91,487 pregnancies conceived through ART and 2,525,234 spontaneously conceived met the inclusion criteria. There was evidence of substantial heterogeneity among these studies (P < 0.001, I2 = 98.6%). Random effects meta-analysis showed a significant increase in GDM among those who conceived by ART compared with those who conceived spontaneously (pooled relative risk = 1.51, 95% confidence interval = 1.18–1.93). Visual inspection of the funnel plot did not reveal any publication bias, which was supported by Egger’s test and Begg’s test.

Conclusion

The findings of this systematic review indicate that the use of ART treatment is associated with a 1.51-fold increase in GDM. Women need to be counselled carefully before undergoing ART treatment about the possibility and risk of GDM.

Resveratrol Supplementation Prevents Hypertension in Hypertensive Pregnant Rats by Increasing Sodium Excretion and Serum Nitric Oxide Level

Background

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy worldwide. This study was designed to study the blood pressure-lowering effect of resveratrol (RES) in a salt-induced hypertensive pregnant rat model.

Methods

Forty female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into 4 groups: Normal Preg (0.9% salt diet), Normal Preg + RES (0.9% salt diet plus daily oral RES for 4 weeks), Salt Preg (8% salt diet), and Salt Preg + RES (8% salt diet plus daily oral RES for 4 weeks). Noninvasive blood pressure was recorded on gestational days 7 and 14. On the gestational day 19, foetuses were weighed, and blood and urine samples were harvested for electrolytes and biochemical assays.

Results

RES significantly reduced SBP, DBP, and MAP on gestational days 7 and 14 in the Salt Preg + RES group compared to the Salt Preg group (all P < 0.05). Compared to the Salt Preg group, the foetal weight, serum NO level, urinary sodium, and 24 hour urine volume were significantly increased in the Salt Preg + RES group (all P < 0.05). Compared to the Salt Preg group, the foetal weight, serum NO level, urinary sodium, and 24 hour urine volume were significantly increased in the Salt Preg + RES group (all P < 0.05). Compared to the Salt Preg group, the foetal weight, serum NO level, urinary sodium, and 24 hour urine volume were significantly increased in the Salt Preg + RES group (all

Conclusions

RES decreases blood pressure in a hypertensive pregnant rat model. Increasing sodium excretion and serum nitric oxide level might be, at least part of, the underlying mechanisms.

Obstetric and perinatal complications associated with assisted reproductive treatment in Spain

BACKGROUND

Although most newborns conceived through assisted reproductive treatments are healthy, there are concerns about the safety of reproductive techniques and their effect on foetal/maternal well-being.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe the incidence of obstetric and perinatal complications in women undergoing assisted reproductive treatments in the Spanish Health System.

METHOD

This is a cross-sectional observational study aimed at women who have been mothers between 2013 and 2018 in Spain. The data was collected through an online survey of 42 items that was distributed through lactation associations and postpartum support groups. In the data analysis, crude odds ratios (OR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were calculated, through a multivariate analysis with binary logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

Five thousand nine hundred forty-two women participated, 2.3% (139) through artificial insemination and 8.2% (486) through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) techniques. Women who underwent IVF had a higher likelihood of suffering problems during pregnancy (OR = 1.71; 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), 1.37-2.13), delivery (OR = 1.43; 95% CI, 1.01-2.02), and postpartum (OR = 1.94; 95% CI, 1.40-2.69) than women with spontaneous pregnancy. No increased likelihood of neonatal problems was observed in this group except for twin pregnancy (OR = 9.17; 95% CI, 6.02-13.96) and prematurity (OR = 1.43; 95% CI, 1.01-2.02). No differences were observed between spontaneous pregnancies and those achieved by artificial insemination.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancies achieved through IVF present a higher risk of complications before, during and after delivery. However, there is no increased risk of neonatal problems except for a higher likelihood of twin pregnancy and prematurity.

The placental transcriptome of the first-trimester placenta is affected by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

BACKGROUND

The placenta is a highly specialized temporary organ that is related to fetal development and pregnancy outcomes, and epidemiological data demonstrate an increased risk of placental abnormality after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

METHODS

This study examines alterations in the transcriptome profile of first-trimester placentas from IVF-ET pregnancies and analyzes the potential mechanisms that play a role in the adverse perinatal outcomes associated with IVF-ET procedures. Four human placental villi from first-trimester samples were obtained through fetal bud aspiration from patients subjected to IVF-ET due to oviductal factors. An additional four control human placental villi were derived from a group of subjects who spontaneously conceived a twin pregnancy. We analyzed their transcriptomes by microarray. Then, RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry were utilized to analyze several dysregulated genes to validate the microarray results. Biological functions and pathways were analyzed with bioinformatics tools.

RESULTS

A total of 3405 differentially regulated genes were identified as significantly dysregulated (> 2-fold change; P < 0.05) in the IVF-ET placenta in the first trimester: 1910 upregulated and 1495 downregulated genes. Functional enrichment analysis of the differentially regulated genes demonstrated that the genes were involved in more than 50 biological processes and pathways that have been shown to play important roles in the first trimester in vivo. These pathways can be clustered into coagulation cascades, immune response, transmembrane signaling, metabolism, cell cycle, stress control, invasion and vascularization. Nearly the same number of up- and downregulated genes participate in the same biological processes related to placental development and maintenance. Procedures utilized in IVF-ET altered the expression of first-trimester placental genes that are critical to these biological processes and triggered a compensatory mechanism during early implantation in vivo.

CONCLUSION

These data provide a potential basis for further analysis of the higher frequency of adverse perinatal outcomes following IVF-ET, with the ultimate goal of developing safer IVF-ET protocols.